Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-02-23

NY Hihk hiVIe uan that thng6
looked mixed" was not positive that
he did not send such telegram. Wit
ncss also sent telegram TO negro at
Grahall polling-place, telling that the
result was doubtful in Brennan did
not believe he told the negro 10 do his
work. Witness could only remember
sending these two kilograms. but sent
number of telephone messages.
Witness attended the BRENNAN in
dignation meeting and made speech,
in which he declared that if certain
white Republicans had melted the ne
groes TO riot, and had proposed TO arm
them, they ought 10 b Hexpelled from
the county. That spbch was made on
the heels of the killikg of Bolton, and
it was generally reported and believed
that Bolton was shot down by negroes
at the instance of the white Republi.
cans, and that the latter approved it.
Some of the men named in his speech,
witness said, were VIGOROUSLY bad
characters. Witness issued q commit
ment for the eight negroes who were
arrested. He swore that he did not
know the men who hanged them and
did not know the men who raided the
ballot-boxes.
On cross-exanlinatiOn witness said the
| peoples movement was organized by
Republican aud Democratic citizens to
rid the county Of set of officials who
for years had been guilty of maladmin-
istration. II was, he said, question
rs to whether citizens should sacrifice
their property and move away or rid
themselves of dishonest officials. In
1884 the peoples movement was organ
lied, and IFS ticket was elected. Many
negroes voted for witness. The white
| Republicans last year resorted to despe-
rate measures to recover political pos
session of the comfy, feeling that il
they were beaten at that election they
could never recover their power.
Judge Kirke said the report and
belief was that the negroes we're adj
vised TO go around to the polls, and
that they shot Bolton down. He re-
ferred to an article in Schultze's Ger
man paper which tended to confirm that
| belief, as that was Republican paper,
and it stated that to protect themselves
| the negroes stationed armed guards
around the polls, and that Bolton was
shot down by one of these guards. The
witness said there was general condi-
| ton of public excitement. There were
numerous anonymous, threatening let
tiers sent He got one, and he knew of
numerous others. Witness produced
the letter sent TO him, which accused
| him of being the instigator of strife
and informed him that he would be
killed without mercy.
One Of tie letters received was sent TO
Sloan, negro, and the writer said
1--WE have got two of the Democratic
chickens and named Sloan as the
next game they wanted. Witness said
that few days prior TO the receipt OF
that letter two brothers named Hop
kins were killed by negro named Dan
Nelson. The two who were killed had
supported the Peoples ticket, and the
negro who did the shooting was an ac
tive Republican. A negro who refuses
to vote the straight Republican ticket
is completely ostracised.
Mr.. SpoOner WARMLY You condemn
that "a great deal more than you con
denim stealing ballot-boxes.
Witness | condemn stealing ballot
boxes and | condemn lawlessness in
every form.
MIR. Spooner with asperity): You
didn't condemn it at the meeting when
you had first-cass chance (also with
some warmtb) that was not the purpose
of the Meeting.
In answer to Mr.. Eusts witness said
no grand jury had been in session since
the hanging of the negroes, and none
would be till March. II. p. HackwOrth,
Republican justice of the peace, who
held the inquest over the dead bodies
of the hanged negroes, had full power
to investigate the hanging and
as much right to summon wit
nesses and inquire into the case as the
county judge or grand jury. There
was n general belief among the whites
that the negroes had been advised to
go TO the polls armed, and that Ed.
Lockett and NJ. Glider had given that
advice. AS soon as it was known that
Bolton was killed these two men dis
appeared and could not be found
There was process out for them.
Excitement prevailed all over the
county on account of reports that there
would be negro uprisings and insur-
rections, and while many people did not |
believe there was any truth in the re-
ports, they became apprehensive. |
After the killing of Bolton, in conse-
quence of these reports, the sheriff, |
with posse, went from Brennan to |
the scene of the disturbance
"And found there was nothing what
ever in the reports" INTERCEPTED Mr. |
Spooner.
- believe he found there was no up
rising" replied witness.
Coming down to the matter of threat
ening letters sent various parties, wit
ness testified to receiving such letter
and to being shown others by negroes
who voted the Peoples ticket Wit
ness received the following letter ad-
dressed to himself:
You are hereby notified that you
are to be shot on the first favorable OPP
portunity presented. You are the in
Si4tBdtpi VI dli INC tiOubic III lii' 'OuhSy'
For die you shall before many suns
rise and set. If it is not done by one
way il may come by another. This is no
bluff, but facts. Others may surely fol-
low you TO your fate.
lSigned] "JUsrIcE.
Bob Sloan, negro supporter of the
witness, received the following note
addressed to witnesses care:
Dear Sir, We have got two Of the
Democratic chickens. You and Algie
Hunt is our next choice. We expect to
kill Democrat negroes until we get two
for every one they have killed. Yours
respectfully, DEAD.
Witness told Sloan topay no attention
10 the notices, and asked if he had in
formation that would enable him TO
prefer charges against any one for
writing the notices, but Sloan said he
did not. The killing of two negroes
named Hopkins, who supported the
Peoples ticket, by a negro named Dan.
Nelson, who was active on the other
side. was alluded to. Witness said it